Find Your Flow
In this section, we identify ways you can help your group move ‘From Plan, to Do’ through action. There are four sections within this page.
Project Inspiration
Renters Booklet
Drawing from the knowledge shared by renters, the booklet offers practical, accessible solutions for improving energy efficiency without large financial investments, addressing challenges such as insulation, dampness, and mould
Community DIY Initiative
This case study resulted in a workbook template that facilitates mobilization of communities to utilize local skills to enhance energy efficiency of renters homes.
Community Engagement Toolkit
Community engagement is a crucial aspect of successful SEC projects. It involves actively involving and empowering community members to participate in your SECs project, making sure that it’s aligned with the communities needs.
This toolkit will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to effectively engage your community in decarbonisation projects, with a focus on building trust, showcasing the benefits of retrofitted homes, and prioritising your communities needs.
Prototyping
Prototype Essentials
Prototyping is an essential stage in design that allows for the testing and refinement of ideas before final implementation. Different methods of prototyping range from simple sketches and wireframes to more interactive mock-ups and functional models. These approaches can be broadly categorised into low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototypes. Low-fidelity prototypes often involve paper sketches, storyboards, and basic physical models, offering quick and cost-effective ways to gather initial feedback. High-fidelity prototypes, on the other hand, include more detailed and realistic versions, such as digital interfaces or refined physical models, that closely resemble the final product.
Prototype Project
To gather comprehensive feedback, we tested these prototypes through both qualitative and quantitative methods. Renters reviewed two prototypes with different content, sharing detailed feedback on usability and the value of the information provided. This iterative process allowed us to fine-tune the content and design and ensured that the booklet was shaped by the practical needs and preferences of its intended users. Additionally, we included a QR code on the back of the booklet which led to a survey form to gather feedback from renters on their experience with the prototypes.
A voting activity allowed us to measure user preferences quantitatively, revealing a strong preference for the physical format, confirming that the booklet resonated well with users due to its tactile, shareable nature and its effectiveness in facilitating face-to-face communication. By employing these different prototyping approaches, we ensured that the final booklet was both practical and functional, aligning with the needs and values of the community it was designed to support.
For our Renter’s Booklet, we adopted a blend of low-fidelity and mid-fidelity prototyping. Initially, we developed basic sketches and storyboards to outline the structure and flow of the content, enabling us to visualise how the information would be presented. These early prototypes were shared during a call with SEC’s, that included people who are renting, to gather initial insights and feedback. As the project progressed, we transitioned to mid-fidelity prototypes, which included printed versions of the booklet using a home inkjet printer. These prototypes featured hand-drawn illustrations and content from the co-design workshop to better represent the tangible format we envisioned.
